Chandrayaan-3 Successfully Lands on Moon, India’s Lunar Dream Realized!

Bengaluru: In a momentous feat, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has orchestrated the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3’s Lander Module (LM) on the lunar surface. The culmination of meticulous planning and unwavering dedication, the LM, consisting of the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover, achieved its lunar touchdown at 06:03 PM IST.

Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
'India🇮🇳,
I reached my destination
and you too!'
: Chandrayaan-3

Chandrayaan-3 has successfully
soft-landed on the moon 🌖!.

Congratulations, India🇮🇳!#Chandrayaan_3#Ch3

— ISRO (@isro) August 23, 2023

The awe-inspiring achievement was realized through the flawless execution of the Automatic Landing Sequence (ALS), which was initiated at 05:44 PM. Guided by a sequence of commands meticulously overseen by ISRO’s mission operations team, the LM descended under the power of throttleable engines, exhibiting precise control throughout its journey.

The successful landing was made possible by the meticulous coordination of the Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) facility, which transmitted crucial commands to the LM hours before its scheduled landing time. As the LM approached approximately 30 km above the lunar surface, a meticulously calculated powered braking phase engaged. This critical stage saw the deployment of four thruster engines in retro firing mode, strategically curbing the descent speed and countering the Moon’s gravitational pull.

Upon reaching an altitude of around 6.8 km, the LM deftly maintained its trajectory with two active engines, ensuring a steady reverse thrust for the controlled descent. With precision akin to a delicate dance, the LM’s sensors and cameras engaged at an altitude of 150-100 meters above the lunar terrain. This sophisticated sensor suite assessed potential obstacles, allowing the LM to land softly and securely on the Moon’s surface.

The triumphant landing comes with immense anticipation for the scientific insights and discoveries that Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander and Pragyan rover are poised to unveil. Designed to operate for the duration of a lunar day, which spans about 14 Earth days, the LM and rover have the potential to outlast their primary mission, potentially yielding extended revelations about the lunar environment.

As India celebrates this historic achievement, the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 stands as a testament to the nation’s burgeoning capabilities in space exploration and technology. With this remarkable feat, India’s name is etched even more profoundly in the annals of space exploration history.